Siphoning gas is harder than it looks

November 23, 2012|Bob Weber: Motormouth

Q: I have 125,000 miles on my 2004 Toyota Sienna and have not needed to replace the rear brakes. The pads still look good. I am worried that my front brakes are doing all the braking. Is this a problem and should I be concerned?

— J.P., La Grange, Ill.

A: The front brakes handle about 80 percent of the work. Not only is the front of the vehicle heavier than the rear, but when braking, inertia shifts forward. That is why you see cars' noses dive under heavy braking. It is not unusual to replace the front brakes several times before the rear brakes are worn.

Q: In case of a disaster such as hurricane Sandy what is the best way to get gas out of ones car for use in a generator?

— R.H., Hinsdale, Ill.

A: You're not thinking of sneaking over to your neighbor's place are you? Unless he owns an older vehicle, you are out of luck. Not only is there a flapper at the top of the filler neck, there is a check valve down at the tank. You can't get a siphon hose past that valve. If you are really desperate, you will have to remove the fuel filler pipe from the tank, remove the valve (usually a spring-loaded ball) then insert your hose directly into the tank. This will no doubt awaken your neighbor.

Q: I can't thank you enough for publishing my question [about the failing low beam headlights on a 2006 Pontiac] in the Sunday Chicago Tribune last week. I saw the article with a picture of the Grand Prix and said, huh, that looks like my car. I took the article and all my receipts to the dealership and was pleasantly surprised that they admitted incorrectly diagnosing and refunded me the total for the computer module of $358.99. I have to think that the article may have helped! Made my day.

— D.V., Bartlett, Ill.

A: We hope other readers will follow your lead if they think they were wronged. We also salute the honest dealers and shops that make things right. This happens all the time, but we seldom hear about the good stuff they do. The adage: "Do something right and your customer will tell a friend; do something wrong and he will tell ten friends" certainly applies. You made our day.

Q: I just bought a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan and am wondering about oil changes. How does the oil life indicator work? Is it by mileage, hours, or actual oil quality? Do I wait for the computer to tell me to change the oil? Is it a good idea to do the first change at 1,000 or 1500 miles? Can I use synthetic.

— F.P., Chicago

A: The oil change interval on your minivan is based on its duty cycle. In other words, the type of driving, the number of cold starts and so on. As such, oil change intervals vary for various drivers who may wait for the display and chime to alert them. You need not change the factory fill of oil until you get the alert and you may, indeed, use synthetic oil or a synthetic blend.

Q: I never see lead weights on new car wheel rims. Is wheel balancing a scam?

— B.K., Lake Forest, Ill.

A: Wheel balancing is certainly not a scam. You no longer see lead wheel weights because the use of lead has been banned. And, with the popularity of fancy chrome and alloy wheels, most car owners don't want the new steel weights on the outside of their rims. Many wheel weights are placed on the rims' inner surfaces much the same way we placed them when we helped balance wheels for cars at Indy. By the way, you would be amazed at how light the wheel and tire assemblies are for race cars.

Q: I get an indicator light on my driver's panel to "check gas cap" almost every time I start my 2003 Cadillac STS. The gas cap was OK (tightened properly). If this indicator light is not rectified a "check engine soon" light comes on. Eventually both lights go out for about two weeks to a month and then it starts all over again. It does not affect the performance of the car or an emissions test. I have changed the gas cap twice and have had the sensors replaced at a substantial cost but I am right back where I started. Any thoughts?

— P.C., Orland Park, Ill.

A: We were glad when the check gas cap warning was instituted. Previously, the check engine light would come on if the cap was loose. Since some sensors were replaced, (the fuel tank pressure sensor was under recall, by they way) and you have had new gas caps, we would look at the sealing surface of the filler neck. Check for nicks or burrs that could damage the cap or prevent sealing.